Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts by Philip Schott

⭐Publisher Featured Review

What a lovely surprise this book is! I was expecting a dry text book about the development of animal medicine, but found instead a delightful 'jaunt' through animal and human history.

Each chapter starts with a little story based on historical evidence, about how humans treated animals. Starting from prehistory and using paintings, archaeological and written evidence, the history moves chronologically to the modern day veterinary surgeons. Referred to originally as an art, the examples move through scenarios including constipated elephants to gorilla specialists and tries to explain why women now outnumber men as vets. 

The introductory stories are a joy to read and the early ones reminded me of fables. Full of information, anecdotes, beliefs as well as practicalities, the book doesn't rely on inaccessible science or medical terms, making it something anyone can easily read and indulge in. It is organised well, engaging  with plenty of wit and insight to fascinating and bizarre ideas about medicine. 

​Recommended to anyone who has the slightest interest in animals, history or quirky books. Will make a stunning gift. Love this. 

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Published by ECW Press on 8 July 2025.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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